The Boutique Search Firm
Heads Above the Rest - April 2025

he Newsletter of The Boutique Search Firm, a worldwide retained recruiting firm specializing in hospitality management.

Market update​​​

• Leisure and hospitality added 43,000 jobs in March which brought employment to 1.3% higher than the previous year.
• The US added 228,000 jobs across all industries in the month.
• Employment in food services and drinking places rose by 30,000 to the highest level of the year
• Accommodation employment continued to trend up over the month as 800 jobs were added.

 
Recent Appointments
 
­­North America​​

• Kevin Carey has been appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at AHLA Foundation. He will continue to serve as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of AHLA, succeeds Anna Blue, who announced her departure in February.
• Robin Ostrov joined HVS Executive Search as Vice President in North America. She has more than 20 years of expertise in retained executive search and corporate talent acquisition within the hospitality industry.
• Jessica Higginbotham has been appointed as General Manager at Hyatt Centric Congress Avenue Austin. She brings a wealth of experience with Hyatt hotels and a proven track record of elevating guest experiences and driving operational excellence.
• Lexi Zambrano has been appointed as Marketing Manager at The Ritz-Carlton. She will be responsible for developing and executing comprehensive marketing strategies to enhance the hotel's brand presence, drive revenue, and cultivate lasting guest relationships.
• Kimberly Rossi has been appointed as General Manager at Miraval Austin Resort & Spa. She has led five-star hotels, resorts and destination retreats to new heights in market awareness, revenue growth, and guest satisfaction with her leadership path taking her across the U.S.
• Wendy Hoekwater named Acting Chief Marketing Officer at Lodging Dynamics Hospitality Group. She will lead the company's marketing and branding strategies, enhancing guest experiences, driving revenue growth and strengthening Lodging Dynamics' position.
• Chad Goodnough joined Stonebridge Companies as SVP Sales Strategy & Innovation. He will bring a wealth of knowledge in sales strategy, marketing, and operational efficiency to the company's ongoing efforts to provide exceptional results for investment partners.
• Suzi Darre named Chief People Officer at Main Street Hospitality Group. She brings significant experience from esteemed organizations such as Morgan's Hotel Group and Rosewood Hotels.
• Jim Chu has been appointed as Head of Owner Relations at Hyatt Hotels Corporation. He is Bringing even more focus and dedication to this important stakeholder group. He will continue to report to Hoplamazian.
• Andrea Gates has been appointed as General Manager at Bishop’s Lodge, Auberge Resorts Collection. She joins the esteemed Auberge family with a wealth of expertise honed through a distinguished career, including her most recent role as Managing Director.
• Justin Chesney has been appointed as Director of Sales at Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa. He previously served as the Director of Meetings and Special Events Planning at The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch.
• Ed Conway has been appointed as General Manager at The Admiral Hotel. He has thrived in independent boutique hotels, bringing a deep understanding of personalized service and operational excellence.
• Rich Johnson has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Nikki Beach Hospitality Group. He brings decades of financial leadership experience, having spent nearly 30 years at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), where he led the Silicon Valley Tax Practice.
• Robert Nokley has been appointed as General Manager at The Westin Cape Coral Resort. His experience, including overseeing major capital projects and achieving significant revenue growth, will have a lasting impact on the property and its guests.
• Greg Nurse named EVP Operations at Remington Hospitality. He brings a broad perspective on hospitality management with extensive experience operating various brands globally and domestically including working with private equity firms and independent owners.
• David Hiatt has been appointed as Vice President of Operations at Remington Hospitality. He brings a deep understanding of hotel operations, owner relations, and team development.
• Dan Applegate has been promoted as Vice President of Finance at Lodging Dynamics Hospitality Group. He has continually demonstrated his leadership and expertise with 25 years of hospitality experience spanning both finance and operations.
• Nick Vitolano has been promoted as Director of Business Development at Lodging Dynamics Hospitality Group. He brings a wealth of experience in resort, branded and luxury/lifestyle properties.
• Nicholas Fogarty named General Manager at Red Cliffs Lodge Moab. He spends more than a decade as director of food and beverage at the Hilton Cassara, Sheraton and Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, California.
• Ben Thomas has been appointed as Chief Operating Officer for Europe at Highgate. He will oversee Highgate's operations across Europe, drive strategic growth initiatives, and optimize performance across its expanding portfolio.
• Jenna Fishel has been promoted as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) at First Hospitality. She will lead the company's overall commercial strategy, ensuring a seamless integration of revenue management, sales, and marketing efforts.
• Mary Beth Cutshall joined Vision Hospitality Group, Inc. as Chief Growth Officer. She will be responsible for helping expand the company's portfolio of owned and operated hotels throughout the U.S.
• Elie Khoury has been appointed as Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Crescent Hotels & Resorts. He brings a wealth of experience - from asset management and more - that will be invaluable to the Crescent team. 
• Ryan Cornelius has been promoted as Director of Sales & Marketing at The Alida, Savannah, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel. He is a versatile leader who has built a successful career overseeing growth of multiple hotel brands across the U.S.
• Zaid Khan has been appointed as Executive Chef at Fairmont Orchid. He will lead all creative and strategic initiatives across the resort's six restaurants, as well as hotel-wide events.
• Jason Rabidoux has been promoted as Chief Investor Officer at Davidson Hospitality Group. His expanded scope includes oversight of asset management and capital allocation.
• Jason Druso has been appointed as SVP of Boutique and Lifestyle Hotels. He brings a wealth of expertise to Peregrine Hospitality's boutique and lifestyle portfolio with a proven track record in luxury hospitality and strategic leadership.
• Ryan Kelly has been appointed as General Manager at OUTRIGGER Honua Kai Resort & Spa. His leadership and industry expertise will be instrumental in elevating the guest experience and operational excellence at the family-friendly resort.
• Harris White has been promoted as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Davidson Hospitality Group. He brings more than 25 years of executive experience to his position with expertise in the luxury lifestyle and premium hospitality space.
• Diego Angarita named General Manager at Naples Beach Club, A Four Seasons Resort. He will bring strong leadership to the property, breathing new life and luxury into a renowned hospitality landmark.
• Alessandro Redaelli has been appointed as Vice President of Operations at Hilton. He has held significant leadership positions across multiple markets in Europe and the Middle East. 
• Jessica Carlson has been appointed as Resort Manager at Arizona Biltmore, LXR Hotels & Resorts. she will oversee the day-to-day operations of the resort, ensuring a seamless guest experience across all departments.
• Bertrand Daluzeau has been appointed as Director of Food & Beverage at Arizona Biltmore, LXR Hotels & Resorts. He will oversee the resort's seven dining outlets and hopes to elevate banquet dining and drive environmentally friendly initiatives to reduce food waste.
• Zeina Reinboldt has been promoted as Director of Weddings and Social Events at Arizona Biltmore, LXR Hotels & Resorts. She has expertly guided countless couples through their wedding planning journey, crafted bespoke events.
• Gretchen Holzhauser named Vice President of Human Resources at Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland. She will lead human resources activities across the property to further develop a culture focused on Team Members, first-class customer service, and community.
• Kate McCue joined Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts as Captain with Four Seasons Yachts. She brings nearly three decades of maritime expertise, combining technical precision with a passion for hospitality to create transformative yachting experience.
• Chryssaldo Thomas has been appointed as General Manager at Hyatt Regency. He will oversee all hotel operations while working to drive revenue growth and create a culture of care for colleagues and guests.
• Christopher Nez has been appointed as Director of Food & Beverage at Park Lane New York. He brings over 20 years of hospitality experience to his new role, which he will draw from to continue Park Lane New York's commitment to high standards of service. 
• Charlotte Almayrac has been appointed as Executive Pastry Chef at Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Golf Club & Spa. She will oversee all pastry operations from in-room dining and catering, to leading creative menu development.
• Rosy Merlino has been appointed as Director of Sales and Marketing at The Ritz-Carlton. She brings a dynamic blend of creative vision, strategic expertise, and a deep understanding of luxury experiences to her new role.
• Karan Kakar has been appointed as General Manager at Thompson Miami Beach. He has a distinguished background in launching and transforming luxury lifestyle hotels. 
• Nick Anderson has been promoted as Commercial Director at Four Seasons Resort Orlando. As Commercial Director, he oversees the entire division of sales, catering, revenue and marketing/public relations team members.
• Jessica Sibley has been promoted as Director of Sales at Four Seasons Resort Orlando. She served as Catering Manager since 2014, honing her sales skills by representing numerous social events and weddings booked at the Resort.
• Iris Acosta-Zobel named Director of Sales and Marketing at Thompson Miami Beach. She is a highly experienced sales and marketing professional with a deep understanding of Miami's hospitality landscape.
• Robert Nokley has been appointed as General Manager at The Westin Cape Coral Resort. He brings 18 years of hospitality experience to his new role, having served in leadership positions at renowned Marriott properties across the country. 
• Ralph Posner joined American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) as Chief Communications Officer. He brings decades of communications experience managing reputational threats and driving visibility for advocacy issues.
• Khristyn Brimmeier named Chief of Staff at American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA). She has led public affairs campaigns and managed teams for a wide range of nonprofit and corporate clients.
• Neal Daftary has been appointed as Vice President of Market Development at American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA). He brings more than a decade of experience in hospitality, franchise development, and operations.
• Tim Major has been appointed as Vertical President of PMS for Fullsteam at Maestro PMS. He brings deep industry knowledge and a strong commitment to innovation.
• Fermin Roque named Executive Chef at Margaritaville Resort Lake Tahoe. He brings an ingredient-driven philosophy and a passion for experiential dining to Margaritaville Resort Lake Tahoe.
• Thomas LaHood joined Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront as Director of Food and Beverage Outlets. He will oversee the operations of all food and beverage outlets in the hotel with responsibilities including menu planning, restaurant staffing, and more.
• Stephanie DeNote has been appointed as Senior Vice President of Travel Commerce at BCD Travel. She will lead an international team of product managers, developers and engineers.

Europe​

• Renato De Oliveira has been appointed as General Manager at Hotel Arts Barcelona. He brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his new role with an impressive, two-decade career in the hospitality industry.
• Karin Raguin named Chief Human Resources Officer at Kempinski Hotels. She will join the new executive leadership team tasked with developing and repositioning the iconic 127-year-old brand.
• Bryan Chan joined IHG Hotels & Resorts as VP, Development for South East Asia and Korea. He will oversee the strategic expansion of IHG's brands across the region, build and strengthen stakeholder relationships and lead a team of highly experienced developers.
• Marc Jacheet joined Hyatt as Group President, Europe, Africa and Middle East (EAME). He is an international business executive with 25+ years of management experience in Europe, Asia and the U.S. across a wide range of leadership roles at global luxury consumer brands.
• Javier Águila has been appointed as Chief Growth Officer at Hyatt in Zurich. He will oversee Hyatt's overall growth through development strategy and execution as well as transactions. 
• Serafim Karouzakis named General Manager at Santo Collection. He is responsible for the administration and operational success of the three properties of Santo Collection set on the coast of Greece's Aegean Sea.
• Nicola Migheli has been appointed as Managing Director at Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco. He excels in spearheading programs and initiatives that are authentic to the property's cultural heritage.
• Sandra Lampée Baumgartner named General Manager at Château De Fiac by The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts. She brings extensive experience in the realms of luxury hotels, hospitality and tourism.
• Islam Samad has been appointed as Vice President of Development at Accor. He will focus on identifying new opportunities, securing high-value deals, and strengthening relationships with owners and investors. 
• Maximilian Abele has been appointed as Brand Director at B&B Hotels Central & Northern Europe. He brings extensive experience in marketing and brand positioning within the hospitality and entertainment sectors.
• Céline Vercollier has been promoted as Managing Director at B&B Hotels. Her promotion to General Manager marks an important step in the consolidation of the group as a leader in budget hotels.
• Damien Martin has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at B&B Hotels. he will bring his expertise to support the group's strong international expansion with 25 years' experience in finance, including 10 years as CFO of the Babilou group.
• Jan Grossmann named Chief Operating Officer (COO) at B&B Hotels Central & Northern Europe. He will oversee operational processes, focusing on hotel openings, regional optimisation and talent development through the future launch of the B&B Hotels Academy.
• Julia Selyukova has been appointed as General Manager at Four Seasons Hotel. She is set to lead one of Central Europe's most iconic hotels into its next chapter.
• Philippe Leboeuf joined as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Dorchester Collection. He is an award-winning and seasoned hotelier and has in-depth experience across regional roles in the luxury sector on multiple continents.
• Nicolas Kipper has been appointed as Managing Director at Corinthia Grand Hotel. He brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to Corinthia Brussels with over three decades of experience in the hospitality industry.
• Marco Montagnani has been as appointed Area General Manager at R Collection Hotels. He has built an impressive career in the industry with over 25 years of experience in luxury hospitality,
• John Abercrombie named General Manager at Glasgow Westerwood Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort. He is set to lead the hotel into a new era of excellence with a vision to strengthen the resort's reputation and drive forward its ongoing investments.
• Manik Budhraja has been promoted as Global Director of Sales & Account Management at RateTiger by eRevMax technologies.  He brings a wealth of expertise in strategic alliances and revenue growth in his leadership.

Asia

• Samit Ganguly has been appointed as General Manager at Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta. She brings to his role a passion for hospitality excellence along with an extensive knowledge of the local market landscape.
• Paul Jackson has been appointed as General Manager at Capella Singapore. He is set to elevate the hotel's legacy, crafting immersive experiences that celebrate both global sophistication and the rich cultural tapestry of Singapore.
• Dongare Yogesh Yashwant named Chief Engineer at Hyatt Centric Hebbal. He brings a wealth of technical knowledge and a proven track record of operational excellence to his role with an impressive career spanning over two decades in the hospitality industry.
• Amit Vivian Richard Gowli joined as General Manager at Rosetta Sakleshpur. He has been an integral part of Rosetta Hospitality for the past two years as Resident Manager, contributing significantly to the resort's operations and guest experience.
• Utsha Chakraborti has been appointed as Sous Chef at Novotel Goa Panjim. He is poised to bring creativity and unparalleled expertise to the hotel's gastronomic experiences with a remarkable culinary journey across renowned hospitality brands.
• Andrew Hunter has been promoted as Senior Director at CBRE, Asia Pacific. He will focus on client engagement to drive deal distribution and provide essential hotel market intelligence to empower clients in their real estate investment strategies.
• Mark Hahm joined CBRE as Associate Director. He will focus on enhancing transaction execution capabilities within Korea, leveraging his deep experience working with hotel owners, operators, and investors. 
• Rahul Uppal has been appointed as Director of Food & Beverage at Hyatt Centric. He brings extensive experience in curating exceptional dining experiences and elevating culinary operations with a rich background in the hospitality industry.
• ShaoWei Ong joined as Chief People & Culture Officer at Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. She has developed her expertise across a diverse range of industries, including hospitality, banking, fintech, music and engineering. 
• Anurag Jain has been appointed as Executive Vice President – APMEA. He will lead RateGain's efforts to accelerate growth, strengthen partnerships, and expand its footprint across the APMEA region.
• Markus Gloor has been promoted as Regional Director for the Group Southeast Asia at Fusion Hotel Group. He has contributed to the expanding of the brand overseeing the launch of Fusion Suites Phuket Patong and ensuring the smooth operations.
• Jonathan Montolieu has been appointed as Director of Food & Beverage at Four Seasons Hotel. He has carved a niche for himself by creating compelling dining experiences in exceptional settings.
• Stephan Schupbach has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Chedi Hospitality. He aims as a dynamic force in the sector with a strong focus on partnerships spanning investors, developers, and industry collaborators.
• Amit Sharma named as Executive Chef at Hilton Bangalore Embassy GolfLinks in Bengaluru. He brings a wealth of expertise in culinary innovation, team leadership, and menu development with 16 years in the hospitality industry.
• Michael Wieser has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Lily Hotels. He has held leadership positions with world's most prestigious hotels, demonstrating a proven track record in operations, guest satisfaction, and strategic business expansion.
• Charlie Young has been appointed as General Manager at Pullman Sydney Penrith and Western Sydney Convention Centre (WSCC).  He brings a wealth of knowledge from diverse international and local markets.
• Thea Samantha Trinidad joined as Seaside Finolhu Baa Atoll as Assistant Manager. She began in finance before transitioning into sales, where she excelled in managing DMC relationships and driving data-driven initiatives.
• Melanie Beattie has been appointed as Vice President of Sales & Partnerships, New Zealand at Millennium Hotels and Resorts. She brings extensive experience in driving growth, channel sales performance, and strategic partnerships.
• Michel Eschmann has been appointed as Director of Food and Beverage at Four Seasons Resort Bali. he draws on more than 20 years crafting outstanding dining experiences from both the back and front of house to his new role.
• Christian Westbeld has been appointed as Regional General Manager at Raffles Indonesia. He is now recently given added responsibility, in addition to the Managing Director, Raffles Singapore role.

­­
South America​

• Harris White joins Davidson as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to optimize value creation and ensure long-term growth. He brings over 25 years of executive experience to his position with deep expertise in the luxury lifestyle and premium hospitality space. 
• Nick Gregory joins Davidson as Senior Vice President (SVP), Strategic Operations. He develops and evolves operational strategies focused on increased profitability while maintaining high guest satisfaction scores across the company’s portfolio. 
• Robert Morse Joins as Vice President of Revenue Management, Davidson Resorts and Davidson Hotels. His responsibilities include developing and executing topline strategies to maximize profitable revenue across rooms and ancillary services.
• Kyle McCoy takes on the role of Vice President, at Davidson Resorts and Davidson Hotels. He brings a globally informed perspective to position Davidson for continued organizational success by fostering strong teams.  
• Michele Smith advances to the newly created position of Chief Accounting Officer at Davidson Resorts and Davidson Hotels. His distinguished leadership working with Harris to spearhead accounting and finance efforts, this enhanced leadership structure.
• Jason Rabidoux has been appointed as Chief Investment Officer to Davidson Resorts and Davidson Hotels. His expanded scope includes guiding strategic investment, acquisition and disposition activity, along with oversight of asset management and capital allocation.  

­­Carribean​

• Annette Rullman has been appointed as Senior Sales Manager at The Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa. She will play a crucial part in ensuring memorable meeting and incentive trips for clients throughout the Northeast (U.S.) market.
• Katya Herting joined Rosewood Little Dix Bay as Managing Director. She brings a wealth of leadership expertise and a deep passion for delivering exceptional guest experiences.
• Daniel Rivera has been appointed as Director of Food & Beverage at SLS Baha Mar. He brings an unmatched depth of experience and visionary leadership to the renowned resort with over 20 years of hospitality experience.
• Yann Gillet has been promoted as Area General Manager at Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa and Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman. He is known for his strategic vision, guest-centric leadership, and ability to elevate luxury properties worldwide.
• Janet Hoediono has been appointed as Executive Chef at  Harbour Village Bonaire. She will lead the culinary team which offers seaside dining crafted with local fresh fish delivered right to the restaurant's dock.
• Gowdhaman Perumal joined Rosewood Baha Mar as Director of Food & Beverage. He brings a wealth of expertise and a passion for culinary excellence to this exciting new role with over 24 years of international hospitality experience.

Middle East​

• Yasser Younes has been appointed as Director of Rooms at Fairmont Hotel Riyadh. He has been responsible for strategic initiatives that contributed to the hotel's market positioning and guest experience.
• Mousa Shihadeh has been appointed as Director of Food & Beverage at Fairmont Hotel. He will oversee the hotel's dining operations, building on the foundation established by Younes. His focus will be on culinary innovation, service refinement, and revenue growth.
• Burcu Betoner has been appointed as Commercial Director at Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah. Her expertise spans a diverse portfolio of luxury hotel brands and includes work in prominent cities across Turkey, Azerbaijan and the United Arab Emirates. 
• Bhavesh Rawal joined Banyan Tree AlUla as General Manager. He brings expertise in operational leadership, strategic development, and guest experience management with over 25 years of experience in luxury hospitality across the Middle East and Canada.
• Samer Kheir has been appointed as Hotel Manager at Hyatt Regency Oryx Doha. He will oversee daily operations, with a strong focus on elevating service quality, optimising guest satisfaction and fostering team development.
• Shanu Varughese has been promoted as Director of Revenue at Grand Millennium Hotel Dubai. He brings a wealth of expertise in revenue management, pricing strategies, e-distribution, and business optimisation.
• Brice Lunot has been appointed as General Manager at Shangri-La Jeddah. He will focus on operational strategy, service standards, and team engagement.
• Sydney Stranger has been as appointed Culinary Director at Park Hyatt Dubai. He has built an impressive career spanning some of the world's most prestigious kitchens and luxury hotels with over 26 years of experience in the hospitality industry.
• Aafrin Shaikh joined Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Media City and Park Inn by Radisson, Dubai Motor City as Cluster Director of Marketing and PR. She brings a wealth of expertise in strategic marketing and public relations with over 15 years of hospitality experience.
• Nawaf Hasan has been promoted as Cluster Hotel Manager at Grand Mercure Dubai City & ibis Styles Dubai Airport. He will lead the team to maintain the high standards of operational controls, ensuring strict adherence to Accor's core standards, and policies.
• Claire van’t Hull has been appointed as Rooms Division Manager at Sofitel Dubai Downtown. She gained experience by immersing herself in various departments, including events and reservations, operations and service excellence. 
• Jusef El Mokdad has been appointed as Director of Operations at Hilton Doha The Pearl. He will oversee the day-to-day operations across all departments with over 20 years of extensive experience in the hospitality industry.
• Bishoui Khamis has been appointed as Cluster Commercial Director at The Hilton Dubai Jumeirah and Hilton Dubai The Walk Cluster. He will oversee sales, marketing, groups and events, reservations and revenue management for the two beach front locations.
• Prasanth Janarthanan has been named as Communications Manager at Hampton by Hilton Marjan Island. He has a wealth of experience within the industry, with a career spanning over 20 years.
• Shamala Krishnan has been appointed as Cluster Director of Human Resources at The Hilton Dubai Jumeirah and Hilton Dubai The Walk Cluster. She brings over 25 years of distinguished experience in shaping workplace cultures and leading HR initiatives to the role.
• Ahmed Abdraboh has been appointed as Director of Sales & Marketing at Al Raha Beach Resort & Spa. He will oversee all sales and marketing strategies for this prestigious destination.
• Maram Kokandi has been appointed as Hotel Manager at JW Marriott. She brings nearly two decades of experience in hospitality management and a strong academic background in the field.
• Onur Avkan has been promoted as General Manager at The First Collection at Jumeirah Village Circle, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel. He will oversee the day-to-day operations, strategic business growth, and team leadership of The First Collection at Jumeirah Village Circle.
• Spencer Wadama named General Manager at W Abu Dhabi. He brings a wealth of luxury hospitality experience across some of the world's most prestigious hotel brands to the role with nearly 30 years in the industry.

Africa​​

• Nazik Amrani has been appointed as General Manager at Kisawa Sanctuary. Her appointment reinforces Kisawa's commitment to delivering exceptional service while maintaining its dedication to environmental conservation and cultural preservation.
• Michael Calixte has been appointed as Regional Vice President and General Manager at Fairmont Royal Palm Marrakech. He aims to reaffirm Fairmont Royal Palm as a premier golf destination.